Texas proves gateway to US success for UK HealthTech companies

10th industry mission opens doors for UK companies to do business overseas

A cohort of British HealthTech companies recently took part in the 10th mission to the Texas, organised by the ABHI

Texas is being heralded as the gateway to success in the United States for HealthTech companies from the UK.

Clinical trials, research collaborations, new partnerships, and sales are all outcomes from the Association of British HealthTech Industries’ (ABHI) work in the region.

Last week, a cohort of British HealthTech companies and medical institutions took part in the 10th mission to the State to showcase medical devices, diagnostic software, and digitally-enabled technologies.

Companies met with hospital system leaders, distributors, clinical leaders, and procurement teams from across Dallas-Forth Worth, Houston, and Austin. These included chief medical directors and senior leadership teams from a range of hospital systems such as Baylor Scott and White Health, Parkland Memorial Hospital, HCA, and Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI).

They also had a productive session with the medical director and human health performance diporate at NASA - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Another highlight of the week was the discussion panel at The Dell Medical School - Getting Innovation to Patients: Strengths and Opportunities of the UK Healthcare Market.

The event, which featured a range of key UK figures from the healthcare sector, talked about innovative pathways, health systems, and the delivery challenges in relation to both the UK and the US.

Texas is a key market for UK companies looking to do business overseas

Commenting on the mission, Andrew Thelwell, chief commercial officer at FirstKind, one of the companies involved in the trip, said: “As a direct result we have been able to engage with key clinicians in the areas we are targeting and are now moving forward at pace.

“The trip was an excellent and efficient use of time – we could not have engaged as many people as quickly as this without the relationships that the ABHI have already established.”

Over the last four years, ABHI missions to Texas have helped UK companies to develop and strengthen partnerships with organisations including academic, investor communities and professional service providers.

During this time, 16 companies have based themselves in the ABHI Innovation Hub at the Dell Medical School in Austin.

The UK has a rich pool of HealthTech companies, and the US is a key export market

This unique partnership gives companies a physical presence in Texas with direct links to Dell Med’s senior leaders and contacts, introductions to the region’s key players and ABHI’s year-round support.

And the partnership has led to over 20 research contracts underway and new business generated.

Richard Stubbs, chief executive of Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network, who also joined the recent mission, said: “The UK has a rich pool of HealthTech companies, and the US is a key export market.

“I’m delighted to continue to support ABHI with its US accelerator programme and it’s great to see the successes that have been achieved in such a short time period.”